For nearly 50 years, the State of Texas has collected thumbprints when a person gets or renews a Texas driver's license or ID card but now that process requires prints from all ten fingers.Mechell Dixon spoke with state officials with more on why the state made the change.

Officials with the Department of Public Safety say safety actually prompted the change.DPS officials in Austin say the change reduces driver license and ID card fraud by preventing duplicate or alias licensing.It helps guard against identity theft.And, it deters terrorists and other criminals from obtaining a Texas driver's license or ID card.So, we spoke with Texomans to see if this new system would deter them from getting or renewing their identification.

Texas driver license offices have collected thumbprints since 1967.Now they are requiring more, which Michael Cummings learned about while renewing his license.

"I thought it was a little weird. I was surprised they asked for all 10 fingers." "Did they say why?" "No. As a matter of fact, I joked around and said they were putting a chip in my arm," Cummings stated.

But DPS officials in Austin say the new ten print fingerprint process is meant to help protect residents from fraud, identity theft and terrorism.

"It's just a set of fingerprints. If you're an upstanding citizen and you don't plan on doing anything wrong then why not give your fingerprints," says Eldon Knight, who does not mind the fingerprint requirement.

However, some, like Angie Perdomo, have reservations about the requirement.

"One fingerprint is just necessary. I mean, it's just as good as all of your 10 fingers. It's pretty much who you are. It identifies you," Perdomo explains.

But to help protect state residents, DPS officials say don't expect to get your identification if you don't have your fingerprints scanned.

The current ten print fingerprint process started earlier this year after funding for the expansion was approved by the Texas legislature.And DPS officials say prints are not used to search an applicant's criminal history.

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